The Image of a Political Figure in Academic Texts: Eduard Shevardnadze

Ivane Tsereteli

Abstract


This article examines the portrayal of Eduard Shevardnadze in Georgian academic works, focusing on his representation as a political figure in collective memory. Through an analysis of key texts by Stephen Jones, Dimitri Shvelidze, Giorgi Mchedlishvili, and Ronald Grigor Suny, the study explores Shevardnadze’s image as a complex leader who guided Georgia through its turbulent transition from Soviet rule to independence. While he is credited with stabilizing Georgia after the civil war and advancing Western integration, his legacy is also marred by corruption, authoritarianism, and unresolved conflicts. The analysis reveals that his image transcends the hero-antihero dichotomy, showcasing his lasting impact on Georgia's historical narrative.


Keywords


Eduard Shevardnadze, collective memory, image, Georgia.

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References


Chagelishvili,T. (2005) documentary: From April 9 to April 9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KRiXsPfx0o

Halbwachs, M. (1992). On Collective Memory. The University of Chicago Press.

Jones, S. (2012). Georgia: A Political History Since Independence. CSS, Tbilisi (in Georgian).

Mchedlishvili, G. (1999). History Without Distance: Chronicles of the Turbulent Years, 1988–1995. Kutaisi (in Georgian).

Nora, P. (1989). Between Memory and History: Les Lieux de Memoire. Memory and Counter Memory, Representations (Special Issue, no. 26 (Spring, 1989).

Shvelidze, D. (2021) Political Confrontations and the Overthrow of the National Government in Georgia, 1987–1992. Tbilisi (in Georgian).

Suny, R. G. (2022). The Making of the Georgian Nation. Tbilisi (in Georgian).


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